Why Some People Get Motion Sickness

Do winding roads leave you feeling queasy?

WHETHER YOU GET CAR SICK,

sea sick or lightheaded from playing interactive video games, motion sickness is seriously unpleasant. Kinetosis, the official term, can affect both kids and adults at varying levels. So what is the root cause of motion sickness? According to neurologist Dr Timothy Hain, it is caused by conflict between the senses responsible for registering motion. If the eyes, inner ear and sensory nerves in the skin are all sending different signals to the brain, the cross-talk will leave you feeling ill.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE GET IT AND OTHERS DON’T?

Motion sickness is a bit of a scientific mystery. Some scientists believe that sensitivity may run in families while others believe it is acquired, or eliminated, as the case may be. Babies and children often grow out of car sickness.

CAR QUEASY

Dr Jane Rosenman says some individuals feel nauseous from reading while riding in a car or bus because their eyes are focusing on a steady (non-moving) thing, but the inner ear senses motion, so your brain gets confused and you feel sick. Drivers have an advantage over passengers because they anticipate what is coming next and are less dependent on external senses.

FRONT SEATS

If you can’t be the driver, the next best place to sit is the front passenger seat and keep your gaze focused on the road ahead. When the senses match, this prevents sensory conflict and motion sickness.

TIP TO HELP PREVENT IT

Stop what you’re doing or try looking at something outside that is still and in front of you, so that your ears and eyes get similar information.